We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

A perfect holiday venue for the family with ages ranging from 4 -13

As well as renting Les Bambous I also rented Les Frenes for my two sons and their families - four children, ranging from 4 to 13. The thank you cards I have received prove just how much they enjoyed their stay and how much fun they had, especially in the pool. As with Les Bambous, the younger children needed supervision because of different levels and steps but it was a lovely natural and unsophisticated home from home for them.

Stayed: August 2013, travelled with family

Service

Ask Angela M about Les Roses

1 Thank Angela M

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

I travelled to Les Frenes for a 1 week stay with my fiancee, our 16 month old son and 3 other couples and I have to say that, for the price paid, the accommodation was very good. In all honesty, I think the place could do with a lick of paint and a bit of an update in decor and furniture, but overall it was a nice, comfrotable place to stay with a great pool (which was 10 steps from the front door) and amazing grounds to explore.

We originally booked to go with 4 couples, but one of the couples had to cancel due to a complicated pregnancy. However, although the property was advertised as 5 bedrooms, the "5th room" wasnt really a room at all, just a couple of single beds put into a room at the bottom of the stairs.

Its in a lovely part of the world so it was easy to get out and about to different places. And although we didnt see the interior of the 3 other properties in the grounds, they looked very nice from the outisde.

Deborah (the owner) could not have been more welcoming - although we didnt see her that much she always had a cheery demeanour and she or her staff were on hand on the occasions that we did.

A solid 3 out of 5 but if Deborah is reading this, then a bit of a spruce up could go a long way!

Stayed: August 2013

Service

Ask Jonesy1978 about Les Roses

1 Thank Jonesy1978

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Management response:Responded 7 August 2017

This Property is under new management since March 2015

Report response as inappropriateThank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Our extended family, including 4 grandparents and two kids, had a fantastic stay at Les Frenes in June, 2012. The house is big and the 3 floors allowed for flexibility in room arrangements so we could spread out and have privacy; the large room on the main floor was a great gathering spot. There was a large dining table and plenty of seating; some of it is older but it is clean and comfortable. We loved the historic nature of the building with the thick walls, wooden beams and stone but the skylights and open staircase kept the main and upper floors from feeling dark and closed in. The lower level is built into the hillside so it is darker but there are nice patio doors to a terrace. There are a lot of levels which could be difficult for those who have trouble with stairs (our group had no problem). The baths and kitchens (there are two actually, with a basic kitchenette on the lower level) are simple but clean. There were plenty of dishes for our group of 8 and we appreciated having a dishwasher and full size fridge! The beds are comfortable and the wifi worked perfectly. The owner was available and responsive to requests both before and during our stay but she allowed us our privacy. The grounds are wonderful—we enjoying walking the trails, fishing in the pond, sitting by the pool and casual tennis (court condition best for non serious play). Vimoutiers was the perfect sized town for our vacation—small enough to feel like we were truly in the French countryside but large enough to have a good supermarket, a huge number of fantastic bakeries (we walked in to buy bread for breakfast every day) and several restaurants for when we wanted dinner close by. We particularly enjoyed L’Ardoise Gourmande in town, and La Cambertiere and La Maison du Vert within a short drive. Vimoutiers is a great base location for driving to the coast (Honfleur, Deauville, Normandy beaches), seeing beautiful villages (Beuvron en Auge was a favorite), exploring part of Swiss Normandy, tasting cheese and calvados (fantastic visit to Pierre Huet on the Cider Trail) and sampling weekly markets (St. Pierre sur Dives was incredible). Both the house and its location created a truly memorable week for our family.

Stayed: June 2012, travelled with family

Service

Ask NewEnglandFamily55 about Les Roses

1 Thank NewEnglandFamily55

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

The all pervading smell of damp and mould on the ground floor almost had me walking straight out before our holiday had even begun. The double downstairs bedroom had mould on the junction between the walls and ceiling and was very cold. This was rectified in part by the provision of an electric heater and an extra bed cover. The twin bedroom on the ground floor was very dark and damp smelling. The downstairs bathroom was filthy with ancient grime on pipework , the radiator and some sanitary ware. We had to clean this room as much as possible before using it. Upstairs was rather better although the upholstery needed dry cleaning & the curtains were thick with dirt. The cooker was excellent and in good condition. The wall behind the cooker was greasy.Some of the crockery was chipped or cracked & was dirty. We had to wash everything before we used it.. Some of the carpets were stained and torn in places. Wallpaper and paintwork were either dirty or damaged. The laundry room was infested with mice.

We had booked for 2 weeks & expected clean bed linen to be provided for the second week but were advised this would only be possible if we paid an extra fee. Eventually we were allowed (FOC) clean sheets - but not pillow cases nor duvet covers.. This property is totally unsuitable for children under 5 due to open stairs and gallery.. The grounds proved to be very unlike the lovely pictures in the advertising. They were overgrown and neglected. In all this was our most disappointing French holiday experience in more than 30 years. Once all the problems have been addressed perhaps Les Frenes will return to being a delightful place in which to holiday with family and friends. Sadly at present this is not the case.

Stayed: September 2012, travelled with family

Service

Ask Patricia P about Les Roses

6 Thank Patricia P

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Management response:Responded 23 October 2012

This is a detailed and damning review, and we are saddened and sorry that these clients found so much wanting in our much loved holiday property. We responded fully and immediately to the letter received from them and I can do no more than publish it below.

Dear Mr & Mrs PWe are in receipt of your letter about your recent stay and are very sorry to discover how very dissatisfied you were with your holiday experience. I spoke to Mr P on several occasions during your stay and never once was any dissatisfaction expressed, in fact he said how much the youngsters were enjoying the pool and the sunny weather during the first week. I understand from my colleague that on the penultimate day of your holiday Mrs P did raise many of these concerns, much too late to give us the opportunity to attempt to put things right. As it was, we had another cottage we would have gladly offered as an alternative for your second week, had we known.

Your comments are strongly expressed and are directed for the most part at the smallest, lower ground part of this large property, which is on three levels. The property is built into a hill, and it is true that the lower ground level part of the property, where you stayed, is much cooler than the upper floors. Being built into a hill, it can feel chilly in cooler weather, although this is a welcome feature of the property on hot summer days. As you say, we provided a heater and extra bedcovers for you on request.

You may be aware of the fact that I broke my ankle at the start of August, and as a result have been unable to fulfil my usual level of vigilance and inspections in our properties. Had I been able to do so I would have been aware of some of the cleaning issues you have brought to my attention. Whilst I accept that this should have been right for you in the first place, had you mentioned your dissatisfaction at the outset, we would immediately have called in a member of our cleaning staff to put this right. I have inspected the ceiling area to look for signs of the mould you mentioned, and it appears that there is a small patch of staining in one part, which has now been cleaned. Your comments about the curtains are, I feel, exaggerated. The curtains are washed each year at the end of the season, as is the upholstery. We have almost reached the end of a very busy season and this is due to take place again shortly. Nevertheless, it is difficult to imagine curtains being ‘thick with grime’. The carpets are newly fitted in many parts of the cottage, and we replace these on a rolling programme of refurbishment. It may be that one or two carpets are beginning to show signs of wear and tear and I am sorry that this was a problem for you. Regarding the mid-stay linen change, this is specifically mentioned just above your signature on your booking form. We are glad to offer a mid-stay linen change at extra cost, on request. At the time of your enquiry, this property was listed for rent at its low season price of £990 per week. As Mr P had flagged up a pricing error on one of our other properties, for goodwill and as a last minute offer, we quoted Les Frenes at £690 per week. This did not include extra linen, but nevertheless, we offered you sheets free of charge when asked.

At no time was suitability of the property for a three year old mentioned when you enquired, but nevertheless, the property is equipped with a sturdy safety gate to put across the entrance door and the galleried landing balcony is built to 1.20m height, with vertical struts. This conforms to French building regulations for the purpose of preventing a child from climbing up. The open staircase has never before been mentioned as more unsuitable than any other staircase for a child, and most families who stay have young children.

Regarding the laundry room, when you mentioned your concerns to my colleague the day before you left, you also pointed out that there were mouse droppings in the laundry room. This leads to the boiler room and the door is often open. It seems that a mouse had come in to escape the cold and rain which was unfortunately a feature of your second week. This area was immediately thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and the door closed. This was an isolated incident and the room is certainly not, as you suggest, ‘infested with mice’.

Regarding the gardens, late September lacks the lovely flowers that bloom abundantly in May and June and through the summer, and it is too early for the beautiful Autumn colours which now adorn many or our trees. I am so sorry you were disappointed. I generally do much of the work in the grounds myself with the help of students who require close supervision! Of course I have been unable even to supervise under the circumstances, and less work than usual took place this September. Nevertheless, this was our problem and it should not have affected your holiday.

I very much appreciate the time you have taken to let me know your thoughts and impressions of our property, and very sorry indeed that you did not find things as you might have wished. We will endeavour to bring things back up to the standard we hope for and you expected, before the start of next season. Kind regards,Yours sincerelyOwner

Report response as inappropriateThank you. We appreciate your input.

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

We stayed in the Farmhouse, which was set slightly away from the other gites. It was beautiful. There were beautiful touches in every room. When we arrived it was spotless and I felt like a child again, running from room to room, only to discover more beautiful rooms! So many nooks to hide away in! My daughter and I enjoyed a few games of hide and seek on the first day!The gardens are wonderful. So spacious and well kept. We were all sad to leave and wished we didn't have to, but all good things come to an end. France is such a lovley country and the locals were all so friendly we felt like we all belonged. There was a housekeeper on sight who was always very discreet but if we needed anything she was always happy to help. There were 9 of us and there was plenty of room. The only downside is that we couldn't stay longer.

Stayed: August 2011, travelled with family

Service

Ask chrissychrissy about Les Roses

1 Thank chrissychrissy

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC